Let’s make homemade strawberry brownies! This recipe uses freeze dried strawberries in the batter for ease and texture, semisweet chocolate, and cocoa for plenty of flavor, and then the brownies are topped with a layer of chocolate ganache. Thick, decadent and delicious — exactly how a homemade chocolate brownies should be!
1 1/2 cup(354.88g)freeze dried strawberries, plus extra for garnish
1/2cup(113.5g)butter
6oz(170.1g)semi sweet chocolate, about a heaping 1 cup
1cup(200g)granulated sugar
3(3)eggs, large
1tspvanilla extract
2/3 rdcup(83.33g)all purpose flour
2tbsp(2tbsp)unsweetened cocoa
1/2tsp(0.5tsp)kosher salt
For the Ganache
6oz(170.1g)semi sweet chocolate, about 1 heaping cup
3oz(85.05g)cream, a little more than 1/3rd cup
Instructions
Make the brownies
Preheat the oven to 350° F and line a 8x8 pan with parchment paper or spray with baking spray.
Using a spice grinder, small blender, or food processor, grind the 1 1/2 cups freeze dried strawberries until they are pulverized and almost powder like. It's ok if not all pieces are the same size. Set aside.
In a medium size microwavable safe bowl, melt the 1/2 cup butter and 6 oz chocolate together, 30 seconds at a time until fully melted. Add in the 1 cup sugar, 3 eggs, and 1 tsp vanilla. Mix on low to medium speed with a hand mixer or whisk by hand.
Add in the freeze dried strawberries, 2/3rd cup flour, 2 tbsp cocoa, and 1/2 tsp salt. Mix until combined.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 28-30 mins until the edges of the pan start to break away. Cool.
Make the Ganache
Add the 6 oz of chocolate to a heat safe bowl, preferably shallow. In another small bowl, heat the 3 oz of cream in the microwave (30 second at a time, 2x should be ok), or over the stove top just until the edges start to simmer. Do not bring to a full boil or the cream will curdle.
Pour the cream over the chocolate and let it sit for 3 mins but do not stir it yet! After 3 minutes, stir with a spatula until smooth. When the brownies are cool, spread the ganache over the brownies. Chill for 10 mins in the fridge and garnish with more freeze dried strawberries.
Notes
When measuring the cream for the ganache make sure you use a liquid measuring cup and not a dry measuring cup. You can leave the ganache off if you don't want to take the extra steps!